The Great Library of Palanthas
An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.
Stories of Ansalon from the view of Aliran.
A little gully dwarf runs by and says 'Wordwrap Off 65 80.'
The gully continues 'Eyes hurt? Turn Color OFF!! (regular story dates)
Astinus says 'Enter the main library here to view only the author list.'
Astinus gently places a small book on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Aliran' scribed in earth-colored red ink.
Author: Aliran Date Mon Dec 12 22:24:08 2005 Subject The surge of night
The moon rose solemnly over the seas, its brilliance threatening to reveal my troops, anxious by now, each soldier fidgeting quietly in his position on the ships. Two fleets was all we could afford to the front of Kalaman but Paladine guides me and I know these will be the best two fleets that has ever come under my command. An ancient charm clasped tightly in my hand, I whispered a few words to the no one in particular, "I will not fail the Knighthood and the Order", my thoughts wandered to the Chosen prophet of Light and to my Lord, Kael Encuintras of the Order blessed by Kiri-Jolith. Numerous years of training in spirit and in the physical will finally come to fruition now. My brethren of the Holy Order now gathered around me, questioning looks in their eyes. I nodded briefly, and we set to work promptly. Azurath, skilled in the art of manipulating weather, slowly conjured up a mist, giving our fleets cover, while others called upon the winds to gather dark clouds before the moon, casting the land into temporary darkness. In the growing murkiness, I sense my archers stiffen as they notice the change in light and realised that it was time. Like ghost ships, the two fleets glided out of the cove we were hiding in, our masts pushed forth urgently, but soundlessly, by magical wind. The archers rose to the feet, bow at the ready, even in the dark I could see Solsthas eyes glint dangerously. The elven and half-elven archers who had come to my aid were some of the best amongst their ranks, all whom I had braved hell and high waters with in our days in Qualinesti. The ships came to a halt. Without a word, we all knew what was to be done. A force held our hearts together as we acted in the same moment. Bows raised, with three arrows fitted to them, my archers took silent aim. It was too late to give any more commands, I could only pray what we had discussed days before would be carried out as we had planned. ------->>>>>>WHOOSH<<<<<<------- I didn't need to see to know that the arrows drew blood, not one falling to the ground of the dark mass 400 yards before us, anchored some north of Kalaman's northern docks. Angry shouts and howls of pain now pierced the night air as our enemies awoke and found themselves under a furious rain of arrows. If we estimated right, there should be two thirds sleeping under the deck now aroused by the anguished yells by their compatriots. "NOW!" I commanded, and all on board the two fleets, dropped graciously to one knee as my fellow clerics murmured incantations, working a strong shield protecting the ships while the enemies fired back wildly, arrows deflected firmly by the shield. They cannot see, I thought victoriously to myself, and they are angry and panicking. Anger and panic do not make good bedfellows with archery. What would have half their normal accuracy in this enchanted darkness, is now reduced to none in their anxiety. I can hear their commander calling wildly, to the Thorn knights no less, to dispel this sightlessness. "Rise!" We had timed this perfectly. The shield disappeared at once, and my archers rose and let fly several more arrows from each bow. More cries of agony unleashed from the mass before us, now growing larger as our ships sailed quickly but silently towards them, still unbeknownst to our enemy. We are now evenly matched in numbers, at last. (continued on next storynote)
Author: Aliran Date Mon Dec 12 22:39:30 2005 Subject The surge of night (cont.)
Gangplanks fell quickly in succession as the ships came near to touching. "Whuh?!" Came cries of confusion as dragonarmy fiends fell to their knees, blood spurting out their sides, as my archers drew their blades quickly and worked through the crowd before they realised what hit them. I searched the crowd for the lone figure slashing his sword wildly in his magical blindness, "What treachery is this!" He shouted in vain. Just then, the murkiness cleared away, and he charged for the first thing he saw--- I. I raised my blade countering his vehement slash, he was no novice at swordplay but neither was I. The knighthood had prepared me well. The memory of playful fighting amongst my brethren came to mind, and in one fluid motion, I made to thrust left but leapt deftly to the right and hind, impaling the commander's side with a defiant thrust. --------------------------- We worked quickly to transfer the bodies from the enemies' fleets to our own and tardied none in moving our fleets out of sight of Kalaman lest any sneaking dark knights informs the overall command that their northern troops had fallen. We uttered a quick prayer over the fallen and set to work for the attack on the morrow. Rumours had it that the rest off the dark Queen's forces will invade together come noon. The fall of the northern fleet will greatly disrupt their plans, as our strength doubles from within Kalaman. The healers tended to the injured archers and I quickly sent word to the Solamnic commander within Kalaman that we had fell the forces in the north, but to act as if nothing as happened, so that the dark knights' invasion would go as planned, only to be surprised and foiled by increased fortification with the arrival of the competent archers on top of the city's already strong defense. I must now send word to Lord Kael and the Knighthood. Drawing a small flute no thicker than a stick, I brought it to my lips and played a poignant tune. A small black dot appeared out of the night skies, now once again illuminated by the moon. The darkness was no more.
The Storytellers of Ansalon, The DragonLance MUD
Astinus points to the massive wall of books behind him and bids you to make a selection.
Authors: All|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z
Astinus mentions 'We have had over 864 storytellers on Ansalon pen their epic stories here for all to read.'
